Microflora

Invisible Body (intestinal microflora)

Author: Alexander Yezovit

Studies done over the past few years, have provided new evidence on the relationship between the microflora in our body and human health. However, until now very few people know how human activity is closely related with micro-organisms that inhabit our body.

In fact, the number of different micro-organisms that make up our microflora, is so large that outnumber our own cells. And all these creatures get along with each other and with their "master", ensuring together the existence of a small Universe called "human".

Maybe is not quite correct to speak about the human microflora as another, "invisible" body. Rather really ought to talk about another one, "invisible" system in the our organism, as each body of organism has its own microflora, which largely determines its function. But in general, this invisible system has a significant impact on our health and quality of life.

Most clearly this relationship is manifested in the processes of digestion, because the total biomass of microflora in the intestine is about 1.5 kg, which roughly corresponds to the weight of the liver. Indeed, this whole "invisible" body! Its function is not completely understood, and only in recent decades, it has been given increased attention to studies the role of intestinal microflora.

According to recent data, the intestine is inhabited by 400-500 species of microbes. They constitute 40-60% of the weight of excrement - to 1-1,5 kg for an adult. The composition of intestinal microflora inclides both pathogenic and beneficial for us bacteria. Their relationship is constantly changing depending on various factors. Newborn useful bacterial flora is of about 95%, in the adult with the ideal health beneficial bacteria should be more than pathogenic, but the average percentage of beneficial microflora in adults is 12%, and quite often the percentage of beneficial bacteria varies between 1-2%.

The population of the gastrointestinal tract varies greatly in its entirety. In the stomach microflora is almost absent, due to improper pH (high acidity of gastric juice). In the upper portions of the small intestine microflora is also poor, but gradually enriched as we approach the large intestine, it is moving closer to the rich flora of the colon.

How to kill intestinal microflora?

Until the end of the last century, the large intestine was considered only as a place of absorption of water and ions and the formation of stool. Recent studies show that the microflora of the large intestine is responsible for many vital processes occurring both in the digestive tract, and beyond, and is involved in numerous and diverse system regulatory functions. In particular, 80% of our immune system is located in the colon.

Useful intestinal microflora protects our body from germs, not giving them too much to proliferate and penetrate the body, but also it neutralizes various food allergens. Impacting on the pH of intestine, beneficial bacteria regulate the work of its sections. They are also directly involved in digestion, producing a number of digestive enzymes and performing a major role in recycling nutrients in digested form. In addition, beneficial bacteria produce a number of B vitamins, vitamins K1 and K2 and improve the assimilation of other vitamins and minerals.

Family of probiotics (beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microflora) includes lactobacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus and other species), and bifidobacteria (bifidum and longum). This bacteria are anaerobic, they do not need oxygen for life and reproduction. Lactobacteria produce lactic and acetic acid, and thus contribute to the maintenance of intestinal pH within normal limits. Other substances produced by them lower level of cholesterol in the blood, contribute to the fight against intestinal infections and stimulates intestinal peristalsis.

The balance of intestinal flora, necessary for normal life, unfortunately, can easily be broken, and often this occurs through the fault of the "master" - human. One of the most frequent and most harmful factors are antibiotics. Destroying pathogens, antibiotics also destroy useful microflora. Other negative factors include smoking, alcohol, too sharp, fatty and sweet food.

"Western diet", common in many developed countries, is just characterized by a large amount of sugar (often in a latent form), products containing large amounts of "fast carbs" (refined white flour), deep fried and smoked products ("fast food" ). Such a diet for a month could cause serious violations of the intestinal microflora. Poor fiber diet also affects the composition of intestinal microflora, since it lose useful bacteria food need for them.

Prolonged use of hormonal drugs, including contraceptives, causing inhibition of friendly microflora; stress hormones, which are discharged into the digestive tract, also cause loss of beneficial bacteria.

Imbalance of intestinal microflora may cause various disease states, ranging from allergies and skin problems, and ending with low immunity. A significant reduction in the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal microflora may cause the development of pathogenic micro-organisms and yeast, which often cause diarrhea or, conversely, constipation (various manifestations of dysbacteriosis).

Lactobacteria live not only in the intestine. It also protects the mucous membrane of the vagina against fungi and pathogenic bacteria. The same reasons that violate the composition of intestinal microflora may lead to a change in the microflora of the vagina, which cause a nasty secretions, that are often in women. Despite the efforts of doctors and treatment of various medication preparations these secretions secretions often last for many months.

How to restore intestinal microflora?

To restore the disturbed balance, you can use probiotic supplements that contain strains of beneficial bacteria, often with prebiotics (nutrients required for the development and reproduction of probiotics). Probiotics are characterized by the fact that they can, without destroying, to overcome the acidic environment of the stomach and achieve the final plots of intestine, where they are colonized. If you took a course of oral antibiotics, should be required to take the probiotic supplements to restore the damaged microflora.

One of effective and key dietary supplements to normalize the microflora is Acidophilus with Psyllium. This drug of Company "4Life Products" has been named among the best probiotic dietary supplements in the world. Except Acidophilus (2 billion bacteria per capsule - the world standard), it also contains powder of psyllium seed husk (Plantago ovat), which is a fiber. AC-Zymes - a simpler version of this formula - contains the same number of CFU (colony-forming units) of Lb. acidophilus, but without psyllium. This drug is also suitable for babies (even infants), as well as babies of the first months of life, excess of fiber can cause constipation.

These supplements can be taken not only orally, but also for vaginal douching with candidiasis (thrush).

One of the latest developments is the probiotic supplement ProbioBalance, which contains a complex of strains of acidophilic and bifidum bacteria, together with prebiotics. This complex formula contains the strains Lb. acidophilus, Lb. rhamnosus and B. Longum, with concentration of bacteria 4 billion CFU - far more beneficial bacteria in comparison with other similar probiotic supplements. As prebiotics this formula contains fructooligosaccharides, which help strengthen the probiotic in the colon and contribute to their reproduction. ProbioBalance is a chewable tablet with a pleasant taste that is ideal for children.

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This article is copyrighted by Alexander Yezovit. It cannot be reprinted without permission from Alexander Yezovit.